Image formation apparatus having image memory

ABSTRACT

An image formation apparatus which has a memory for storing plural read images is provided. In the apparatus, setting of a second copy job and image reading are possible even if a first copy job is being executed. Further, even if feeder jam or printer jam occurs in the first copy job when the second copy job is being set, such the jam is displayed at appropriate timing, so that operability of the apparatus can be significantly improved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image formation apparatuswhich has an image memory, and in which, during execution of one job, asetting operation for the other job can be performed.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, in image formation apparatuses such as a digitalcopy machine and the like each having a memory such as a hard disk orthe like to store plural image data, it has been proposed the apparatushaving an electronic sorter mode in which original images obtainedthroughout a copy job are stored in the memory, data of a first outputimage in the copy job is read from the memory in due order to form orreproduce the image, and thus an image formation process correspondingto the desired number of copies is performed.

[0005] In such the image formation apparatuses as above, when a digitalcopy machine, an analog copy machine or the like not having the memorysuch as the hard disk or the like is used, an original image readingprocess must be repeated plural times corresponding to the number ofoutput copies. On the other hand, when the apparatus having theelectronic sorter mode is used, the original image reading process maybe performed only once irrespective of the number of output copies.Therefore, the image formation process can be performed without beingaffected by a factor such as a circulation loss or the like in anautomatic original feeder (document feeder: DF) or the like whichdecreases productivity.

[0006] Further, in order to more effectively operate a system of theimage formation apparatus which uses the electronic sorter mode, it hasbeen proposed the apparatus in which the original image reading andstoring processes are separated from the image formation process, andthus the original image reading and storing processes for a next copyjob can be started irrespective of the image formation process after thereading process terminated.

[0007] Since the conventional image formation apparatus has beenstructured as above, in a case where there are two copy jobs intended tobe continuously subjected to the image formation process in the imageformation apparatus capable of performing in parallel the originalreading and storing processes for the next copy job while the imageformation process is being performed, there has been a followingproblem. That is, if a user does not issue any instruction such as startkey depression or the like after the original reading process for thesetwo copy jobs terminated, the image formation process can not bestarted.

[0008] Further, in a system which has a display structure capable ofdisplaying setting contents and copy job states (in original reading, inprinting, on standby for printing, and the like) for each copy job suchthat the user can effectively set a copy mode and start a copyoperation, when an abnormal state such as paper jam, paper empty or thelike occurs, there has been a problem that it is difficult toselectively control whether or not the abnormal state is displayedaccording to a state of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an imageformation apparatus and its control method in which such drawbacks asabove have been eliminated.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an imageformation apparatus and its control method which can appropriatelyperform alarm displaying in a case where abnormality in a first joboccurs when a setting operation of a second job is being performedduring execution of the first job.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide animage formation apparatus and its control method which can appropriatelycontrol switching of display screens for a next job in accordance withabnormality in an original feeding system or abnormality in a recordingsystem.

[0012] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description based on the accompanying drawingsand the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining a structure of an imageformation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control structure ofthe image formation apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of an image processunit shown in FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure of an image memoryunit shown in FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of an externalinterface process unit shown in FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a view showing a layout of a first operation unit shownin FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of an application modeselection screen on a display panel shown in FIG. 6;

[0020]FIG. 8A is a view for explaining an example of a desirable keysetting screen on the display panel shown in FIG. 6;

[0021]FIG. 8B is a view for explaining an example of a copy A settingscreen on the display panel displaying registered desirable keys;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an output order display screen onthe display panel of FIG. 2 displaying a state of a print output queue;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of first data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of second data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0025]FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of third data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0026]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of fourth data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0027]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control structure of an imageprocess apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0028]FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a layout of a second operationunit shown in FIG. 14;

[0029]FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining a management structureof a RAM shown in FIG. 14;

[0030]FIG. 17, composed of FIGS. 17A and 17B, is a flow chart showing anexample of fifth data process procedure in the image formation apparatusaccording to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of sixth data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0032]FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of seventh data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0033]FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of eighth data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0034]FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of ninth data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0035]FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example of tenth data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0036]FIG. 23 is a view showing a copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A image reading and copy B mode setting;

[0037]FIG. 24 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A feeder jam and copy B mode setting;

[0038]FIG. 25 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A printing and copy B mode setting;

[0039]FIG. 26 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A print jam and copy B mode setting;

[0040]FIG. 27 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A print jam process and copy B mode setting;

[0041]FIG. 28 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A print jam and copy B mode setting;

[0042]FIG. 29 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A printing and copy B image reading;

[0043]FIG. 30 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A printer jam and copy B image reading;

[0044]FIG. 31 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A printing and after copy B image reading end;

[0045]FIG. 32 is a view showing the copy B setting screen after copy Aprinting end and at the time of copy B printing;

[0046]FIG. 33 is a view showing the copy B setting screen at the time ofcopy A image reading and copy B printing; and

[0047]FIG. 34 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage mediumwhich stores various data process programs readable by the imageformation apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] (First Embodiment)

[0049]FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining a structure of an imageformation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, which is composed of an image formation apparatus body 100and an automatic original feeder (DF) 180.

[0050] In the drawing, numeral 100 denotes the image formation apparatusbody, and numeral 180 denotes the DF.

[0051] In the body 100, numeral 101 denotes a platen glass acting as anoriginal mounting board glass. Numeral 102 denotes a scanner composed ofan original illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104 and the like.Light generated from the lamp 103 is reflected by an original mounted onthe platen glass 101 and then inputted into an image sensor unit (CCDsensor or the like) 109 through a lens 108 by the scanning mirrors 104to 106, thereby forming an image corresponding to the original. Itshould be noted that, since the scanner 102 can be reciprocated along apredetermined direction by a not-shown motor, it can scan the originalin whole.

[0052] Further, instead of scanning the original by moving the scanningmirror 104 after the original was mounted on the platen glass 101, it ispossible to read an original image by fixing the mirror 104 and feedingor moving the original itself with the DF 180.

[0053] Numeral 120 denotes an exposure control unit composed of a laserbeam generator, a polygon scanner (including rotation polyhedron mirror)and the like (all not shown). The unit 120 generates laser beam 129modulated based on an image signal converted by the image sensor unit109 and subjected to a predetermined image process by a later-describedimage process unit 170, and applies the generated beam 129 to aphotosensitive drum 110.

[0054] Numeral 126 denotes an image formation unit composed of thephotosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a development unit 121,a transfer charger 118, a separation charger 119, a cleaning unit 116, apreexposure lamp 114 and the like. The chargers 112, 118 and 119, theunits 121 and 116, and the lamp 114 are arranged around the drum 110.

[0055] In the image formation unit 126, the drum 110 is rotated by anot-shown motor in a direction indicated by an arrow, charged at desiredpotential by the primary charger 112, and then applied with the laserbeam 129 from the exposure control unit 120, thereby forming a latentimage. The latent image formed on the drum 110 is developed by thedevelopment unit 121, and visualized as a toner image.

[0056] On the other hand, a transfer paper or sheet fed from an uppercassette 131 by a pickup roller 133 or from a lower cassette 132 by apickup roller 134 is carried to the body 100 by feed rollers 135 or 136,and fed to the image formation unit 126 by resist rollers 137. Thus, thevisualized toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by thetransfer charger 118.

[0057] After the image was transferred, a residual toner on the drum 110is removed by the cleaning unit 116, and also residual charges areremoved by the preexposure lamp 114.

[0058] Further, the transfer paper after the image transfer is separatedfrom the drum 110 by the separation charger 119, and guided betweenprefixing chargers 139 and 140 by a transfer belt 130, whereby the tonerimage is recharged. Then, the toner image is pressed and heated by afixing unit 141 to fix the toner onto the paper, and the paper isdischarged outside the body 100 by discharge rollers 142.

[0059] In the body 100, a deck 150 capable of putting, e.g., 4000 sheetsof transfer paper is provided. A lifter 151 of the deck 150 goes upaccording to an amount of the transfer paper such that the paper alwayscontacts with a paper feed roller 152.

[0060] It should be noted that, instead of 4000 sheets, the number ofsheets loaded on the deck 150 may be 100 or others. Also, a multi-typemanual paper feed unit 153 capable of loading 100 sheets of transferpaper is provided.

[0061] Numeral 154 denotes a paper discharge flapper used to change orswitch a transfer paper feed path among a double-face recording side, amultirecording side and a discharge side. Numeral 158 denotes a lowerfeed path. The transfer paper fed by the discharge rollers 142 isreversed through a reverse path 155, and then fed to a paper refeed tray156 through the path 158.

[0062] Numeral 157 denotes a multiflapper used to change or switch thepath between the double-face recording side and the multirecording side.When the multiflapper 157 is moved leftward, the transfer paper isdirectly guided to the lower feed path 158 without passing through thereverse path 155.

[0063] Numeral 159 denotes a paper feed roller feeding the transferpaper to the image formation unit 126 side through a path 160. Numeral161 denotes discharge rollers provided in the vicinity of the flapper154 to outwardly discharge the transfer paper guided to the dischargeside by the flapper 154. In case of double-face recording (i.e.,double-face copy) or multirecording (i.e., multicopy), the flapper 154is raised such that the transfer paper already subjected the copyprocess is loaded on the paper refeed tray 156 through the paths 155 and158.

[0064] In case of the double-face recording, the multiflapper 157 ismoved rightward, while in case of the multirecording, the multiflapper157 is moved leftward. The transfer paper on the paper refeed tray 156is fed one by one from the bottom of the stacked sheets, to the resistrollers 137 of the body 100 by the paper feed roller 159 through thepath 160.

[0065] When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the body100, the paper discharge flapper 154 is moved upward and themultiflapper 157 is moved rightward to feed the copy-processed transferpaper to the reverse path 155 side. After a trailing edge of thetransfer paper passed through a first feed roller 162, the flapper 154is moved rightward to feed the paper to a second feed roller 162 a byusing reverse rollers 163. Then, the transfer paper is reversed anddischarged to a sorter 190 side by the discharge roller 161.

[0066] Numeral 190 denotes the paper discharge process unit (i.e.,sorter) to align the sheets discharged from the body 100 and bind theminto a bundle. That is, in the unit 190, the discharged paper is loadedand aligned on a process tray 193 for each sheet. When the dischargingof one image formation process terminates, the bundle of the loadedsheets is stapled and discharged to a discharge tray 191 or 192. Thetrays 191 and 192 are moved up and down by a not-shown motor such thatthe desired tray intended to be used for the loading is moved to aprocess tray position before the image formation operation starts.

[0067] Hereinafter, a control structure of the image formation apparatusshown in FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0068]FIG. 2 is the block diagram for explaining the control structureof the image formation apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0069] In the drawing, numeral 171 denotes a CPU performing basiccontrolling of the image formation apparatus body 100. A ROM 174 storingcontrol programs, a RAM 175 acting as a working area for the process,and an input/output port 173 are connected to the CPU 171 throughaddress and data buses. Further, not-shown various loads such as amotor, a clutch and the like for controlling the body 100, and anot-shown sensor or the like for detecting a position of the paper areconnected to the port 173. The CPU 171 serially controls data input andoutput operations through the port 173 on the basis of contents of thecontrol program written in the ROM 174, and performs an image formationoperation.

[0070] Further, since a first operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU171, the CPU 171 controls later-described display and key input means(FIG. 6) of the unit 172. An operator instructs the CPU 171 to change orswitch an image formation operation mode and a displayed state by keyinputting at the unit 172, and the CPU 171 displays a state of the body100 and key-inputted operation mode setting.

[0071] Furthermore, the image process unit 170 processing the electricalsignal converted by the image sensor unit 109 (FIG. 1), and an imagememory unit 3 storing the processed images are connected to the CPU 171.

[0072] Hereinafter, a structure of the image process unit 170 shown inFIG. 2 will be explained along an image data flow.

[0073]FIG. 3 is the block diagram for explaining the structure of theunit 170. It should be noted that, in FIG. 3, the same parts as those inFIG. 2 are respectively added with the same reference numerals.

[0074] In the drawing, the original image data (inputted as luminancedata of black in the embodiment) inputted in the image sensor unit 109through the lens 108 shown in FIG. 1 is further inputted to an analogsignal process unit (not shown) to be subjected to a sample-and-holdprocess, a dark level correction and the like.

[0075] After then, in an A/D conversion and shading correction (A/D-SH)unit 301, the data from the unit 109 is analog-to-digital (A/D)converted and the obtained digital image signal is shading-corrected(i.e., dispersion of original reading sensors and light distributioncharacteristic of original illumination lamp are corrected).

[0076] After then, the A/D converted image signal is sent to alogarithmic conversion unit 302. A lookup table (LUT) for converting theinputted luminance data into density data is provided in the unit 302,and the LUT converts the luminance data into the density data byoutputting a table value corresponding to the inputted data.

[0077] After then, a zooming unit 303 zooms the image at desiredmagnification, and the zoomed image is inputted to a gamma correctionunit 304. In the unit 304, in a case where the density data isoutputted, the inputted data is converted by using the LUT inconsideration of an image output characteristic of a printer to adjustthe output according to a density value set by the first operation unit172.

[0078] After then, the gamma-corrected density data is sent to abinarization unit 305. In the unit 305, the multivalue density dataincluded in the image data is binarized, whereby the density valuebecomes “0” or “255”. That is, the eight-bit image data is convertedinto the binarized one-bit image data of “0” or “1”, whereby an amountof the image data to be stored in the memory becomes small.

[0079] However, if the image is binarized, the number of gradation ischanged from “256” to “2”. For this reason, when the data of amuch-halftone image such as a photographic image is binarized, generallythe image is remarkably deteriorated. Thus, pseudo halftone expressionbased on the binary data is necessary. In the embodiment, an errordiffusion method is used as a pseudo halftone expression method.

[0080] In this method, if the density of one image is larger than athreshold, the data of this image is considered as the “255” densitydata and binarized. On the other hand, if the density is equal to orlower than the threshold, the data is considered as the “0” density dataand binarized. Then, a difference between the actual density data andthe binarized data is diffused to peripheral pixels as an error signal.

[0081] The error diffusion in this method is performed by multiplying anerror in the binarization by a weighting coefficient on a previouslyprepared matrix and then adding an obtained value to the peripheralpixels. Thus, an average density value can be preserved throughout theimage, so that the pseudo halftone can be expressed in binary.

[0082] The binarized image data is sent to the image memory unit 3 andstored therein. Since the image data is processed as the binary imagedata in a later-described external interface process unit 4, the imagedata inputted from the unit 4 is sent to the unit 3 as it is. The imagememory unit 3 has a page memory accessible at high speed and alarge-capacity memory (i.e., hard disk 404 (FIG. 4) in the embodiment)capable of storing the image data of plural pages.

[0083] The data of the plural images stored in the hard disk 404 isoutputted in the order according to an edit mode designated on the firstoperation unit 172 (FIG. 2). For example, if a sorter is designated, theimage data of the original bundle sent from the DF 180 is outputted inthe reading order. That is, the image data of the original once storedin the hard disk 404 is read in the storing order, such the reading isrepeated plural times (corresponding to the desired number of copies),and the obtained data is outputted. Thus, since the image data isoutputted in the same order as the page order of the original, theoperation can acts as the sorter having plural bins.

[0084] The image data outputted from the image memory unit 3 is sent toa smoothing unit 306 in a printer unit 2. In the unit 306, the data isinterpolated such that a leading-edge portion of the binarized imagebecomes smooth, and the obtained data is then outputted to the exposurecontrol unit 120. In the unit 120, the image corresponding to theinputted image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 110 through thepreviously described process.

[0085] The printer unit 2 is composed of, in addition to the smoothingunit 306 and the exposure control unit 120 shown in FIG. 3, the imageformation unit 126 and all the feed paths through which the transferpaper is fed.

[0086] Hereinafter, details of the image memory unit 3 shown in FIG. 2will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

[0087]FIG. 4 is the block diagram for explaining a structure of theimage memory unit 3 shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that, in FIG. 4,the same parts as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively added with thesame reference numerals.

[0088] In the drawing, numeral 3 denotes the image memory unit whichwrites the binarized image sent from the external interface process unit4 and the image process unit 170 into a page memory 401 composed of amemory such as DRAM or the like through a memory controller 402, readsand sends the image to the printer unit 2, and accesses imageinputting/outputting to/from the hard disk 404 acting as thelarge-capacity memory.

[0089] Numeral 402 denotes the memory controller which generates a DRAMrefresh signal to the page memory 401, and controls the accessing fromthe external interface process unit 4, the image process unit 170 andthe hard disk 404 to the page memory 401.

[0090] Further, the memory controller 402 controls management of thewriting/reading addresses to/from the page memory 401, a readingdirection and the like according to an instruction from the CPU 171.Thus, the CPU 171 controls a function to form a layout of the pagememory 401 by arranging the plural original images and output the formedlayout to the printer unit 2, a function to cut out only a part of theimage and output the cut-out image, and a function to rotate the image.

[0091] Numeral 403 denotes an LZ compression unit which compresses anddepresses the image data when the image is read from and written intothe hard disk 404, respectively.

[0092]FIG. 5 is the block diagram for explaining a structure of theexternal interface process unit 4 shown in FIG. 3. It should be notedthat, in FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 arerespectively added with the same reference numerals.

[0093] In the drawing, numeral 4 denotes the external interface processunit which is composed of a core unit 506, a facsimile unit 501, a harddisk 502 for storing communication image data of the unit 501, acomputer interface unit 503 connected to an external computer (PC/WS)11, a formatter unit 504, and an image memory unit 505.

[0094] As previously described, the binary image data read by a readerunit 1 and processed in the image memory unit 3 is inputted to theexternal interface process unit 4. On the other hand, the binary imagedata in the unit 4 is outputted to the printer unit 2 through the imagememory unit 3 to perform the image formation. The reader unit 1 iscomposed of the scanner 102, the original illumination lamp 103, thescanning mirrors 104 to 106, the lens 108, the image process unit 170and the like shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0095] Numeral 501 denotes the facsimile unit which is connected to apublic line such as a telephone line through a modem (not shown),receives facsimile communication data from the public line, andtransmits the data to the public line. The facsimile unit 501 has afacsimile function to store a facsimile image in the hard disk 501 andprocess the stored image. For example, the unit 501 performs facsimilecommunication at a designated time, and transmits the image data inresponse to a partner's inquiry of a designated password.

[0096] By such the facsimile function, after the image was oncetransferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 501 or the harddisk 502 through the image memory unit 3, it is then possible to performthe facsimile transmission without using the units 1 and 3.

[0097] Numeral 503 denotes the computer interface unit performing thedata communication to the external computer 11. The computer interfaceunit 503 contains, e.g., a LAN (local area network), a serial interface,a SCSI (small computer system interface), and a centronics interfaceused for the printer data input.

[0098] Through the computer interface unit 503, states of the printerunit 2 and the reader unit 1 are notified to the external computer 11,the image reading by the reader unit 1 according to an instruction fromthe computer 11 is transferred to the computer 11, and print image datais received from the computer 11. The print image data notified from thecomputer 11 through the unit 503 is described by using a dedicatedprinter code.

[0099] Numeral 504 denotes the formatter unit which converts the printercode of the print image data transmitted from the computer 11 intoraster image data, to perform the image formation by the printer unit 2through the image memory unit 3. In this case, the formatter unit 504expands or depresses the raster image data in the image memory unit 505.

[0100] As described above, the image memory unit 505 is used as thememory in which the formatter unit 504 expands the raster image data, oras the area in which, when the image reading by the reader unit 1through the unit 503 is sent to the external computer 11 (image scannerfunction), the image data sent from the unit 3 is partially expanded toconvert its data format into that suitable for the computer 11.

[0101] Numeral 506 denotes the core unit which manages and controls datatransfer among the facsimile unit 501, the computer interface unit 503,the formatter unit 504, and the image memory units 505 and 3. Thus, evenif the plural image output units (i.e., facsimile unit 501 and computerinterface unit 503) are connected to the external interface process unit4, exclusive control, priority control and image outputting areperformed under the management of the core unit 506 only by using thesingle image transfer path to the image memory unit 3.

[0102]FIG. 6 is the view showing a layout of the first operation unit172 shown in FIG. 2.

[0103] By handling various keys arranged on the first operation unit172, the operator can set the copy operation of the image formationapparatus body 100, instruct the copy operation and perform otheroperation.

[0104] In the drawing, numeral 621 denotes a power lamp indicating apower state. That is, lamp 621 is turned on/off according to poweron/off based on a switching operation of a power switch 613.

[0105] Numeral 622 denotes a ten-key used when it is necessary to inputnumerals to the image formation apparatus for setting the number ofcopies, the mode and the like. Further, in a facsimile setting screen,the ten-key 622 is used to input telephone numbers. Numeral 623 denotesa clear key used to clear the setting inputted by the ten-key 622.Numeral 616 denotes a reset key used to return the setting number ofcopies, the setting operation mode, the setting selection paper feedberth and the like to their default values.

[0106] Numeral 614 denotes a start key. When the start key 614 isdepressed, the image formation operation starts. Red and green LEDs (notshown) are provided at the center of the key 614. When starting of theimage formation operation is impossible, the red LED is ON. On the otherhand, when the starting of the operation is possible, the green LED isON.

[0107] Numeral 615 denotes a stop key used to stop the copy operation.Numeral 617 denotes a guide key. When one key is depressed after theguide key 617 was depressed, a later-described display panel 620displays guidance of the function capable of being set by such the key.When the key 617 is again depressed, such the displayed guidance can bereleased.

[0108] Numeral 618 denotes a user setting key used when the user changesvarious setting of the image formation apparatus body 100. For example,the user can change the setting of a time when the setting isautomatically cleared, the setting of the default (or preset) value atthe time of depressing the reset key, and other setting.

[0109] Numeral 619 denotes an interruption key. When the interruptionkey 619 is depressed during the image formation operation, execution ofthe current image formation operation and execution of later reservedimage formation operations are interrupted. Instead, a copy operationnot using the DF 180 can be executed.

[0110] Numeral 620 denotes the display panel having a liquid crystaldisplay and the like, and having touch sensors on its surface. In orderto easily perform the detailed mode setting, the display panel 620displays various screens (or image planes) each different from othersaccording to the setting mode. For example, FIG. 6 shows a copy Asetting screen 650 which displays a copy A mode being one of plural copymodes. Further, keys 624 to 631 are displayed on the panel 620. Thus, bytouching a position at which the specific key is displayed, the operatorcan set the desired mode indicated by such the specific key.

[0111] Numeral 627 denotes the paper selection key used to select apaper berth. When the key 627 is depressed, the panel 620 displays ascreen used to set which of the cassettes 131 and 132 and the deck 150is used for feeding the paper. Numerals 628 to 631 denote themagnification setting keys. By depressing one of the keys 628 to 630, adesired regular (or fixed) magnification can be selected. On the otherhand, after the key 631 was depressed, a zooming magnification can bemanually set by inputting desired numerals.

[0112] Numeral 626 denotes the application mode setting key. When thekey 626 is depressed, the panel 620 displays a screen used to setapplication function modes such as a multicopy operation mode, areduction layout mode, a cover sheet synthesis mode and the like. Forexample, the panel 620 displays an application mode selection screen 700(later described in FIG. 7) showing setting keys of various applicationfunction modes, to enable various setting of the application modes.

[0113] Numeral 624 denotes the double-face operation setting key. Forexample, by using the key 624, three kinds of double-face modes, i.e.,“single—double mode” to perform double-face outputting from asingle-face original, “double—double mode” to perform the double-faceoutputting from a double-face original, and “double—single mode” toperform two single-face outputting from the double-face original.Numeral 625 denotes the sorter key. When the sorter key 625 isdepressed, an operation mode of the paper discharge process unit 190 anda sorting mode of the output sheets using the image memory unit 3 areset.

[0114] As above, the display panel 620 displays the various keys.However, in a case where the mode corresponding to the displayed key cannot be set, the panel 620 displays the screen different from theordinary screen. For example, the panel 620 can indicate that thedisplayed key is inoperable by displaying dotted lines (or meshed lines)which are ordinarily displayed as solid lines.

[0115] Numeral 633 denotes a function setting display area fordisplaying the setting contents of the copy operation and the like. Onthe left of the area 633, a display area 633 a for displaying that thecurrently displayed screen corresponds to which of later-describedfunction modes is provided. In the drawing, since the setting screen 650for the copy A is displayed on the panel 620, “copy A” is displayed. Itshould be noted that, although characters are used to discriminate thefunction in the embodiment, a symbol (numerical symbol, icon or thelike) indicating the function included in the body 100 may be used.

[0116] Numeral 632 denotes an operation display area for displaying anoperation state of the later-described other function mode or acurrently processed operation state, within a range capable ofdisplaying single-line information. In the drawing, e.g., the area 632displays that a copy B is in an output operation to the printer unit.

[0117] Numerals 634 and 635 respectively denote desirable keys. Bydepressing the desirable key 634 or 635, the user can set a desired item(function capable of being set by using application mode setting screen)registered on a desirable key setting screen 800 (later described inFIGS. 8A and 8B). In the drawing, since any function is not registered,meshes are displayed on the keys 634 and 635.

[0118] Numerals 601, 604, 607 and 610 respectively denote switch keys(or change keys). When the switch key is depressed, the screen displayedon the first operation unit 172 is changed to newly set the otherfunctions such as the copy operation, the system operation and the likeusing the body 100. In the drawing, although the setting screen 650 forthe copy A is displayed on the panel 620, e.g., if the switch key“printer” 610 is depressed, the screen is changed to a not-shown settingscreen for the printer.

[0119] The switch keys 601, 604, 607 and 610 are semitransparent keybuttons, and each key contains therein a display lamp (not shown) suchas an LED or the like. When operation screen is selected by depressingthe switch key, the display lamp in the depressed key is turned on. Thatis, it is controlled that only the lamp in the key corresponding to theselected setting screen is turned on, and the lamps in the other keysare turned off.

[0120] Each of the switch keys 601, 604, 607 and 610 can be depressed atany time irrespective of operation states of the respective functions.When the switch key is depressed, operation targets of the keys 614 to619, 622 and 626 on the first operation unit 172 are changed orswitched. For example, in such a case as in the embodiment where it ispossible to switch the function between a copy A function and a copy Bfunction, the start key 614, the stop key 615, the reset key 616 and thelike other than the keys displayed on the panel 620 are operated on thefunction selected by the switch key 601 or 602.

[0121] That is, e.g., in the case where the copy A setting screen 650 isbeing displayed, when the stop key 615 is depressed, it is impossible tostop the copy in the copy B output operation. If it is intended to stopthe copy for the copy B, it is necessary that the switch key “copy B”604 is once depressed and then the stop key 615 is depressed. Thus, theoutput operation for the copy B stops.

[0122] Numerals 603, 606, 609 and 612 denote green LEDs, each arrangedon the right of each switch key. Each LED is turned on to indicate theoperation state of each function.

[0123] For example, the LED 606 of the copy B is controlled to be OFFduring the copy B is on standby. On the other hand, when the copy B isin the output operation as in FIG. 6, the LED 606 is turned on and offrepeatedly. Further, in a case where the image of the copy B has beenstored in the hard disk 404 of the image memory unit 3 but the printoperation of the copy B is not yet performed, the LED 606 is controlledto be ON.

[0124] Similarly, the LED 609 of the facsimile is turned on and offrepeatedly during the communication operation, the print operation andthe reading operation. In a case where the facsimile image has beenstored in the hard disk 502 connected to the facsimile unit 501 shown inFIG. 5, the LED 609 is controlled to be ON.

[0125] Numerals 602, 605, 608 and 611 denote red LED, each arranged onthe left of each switch key. Each LED is turned on to indicate thatabnormality occurs in each function. For example, the LED 605 of thecopy B is turned on and off repeatedly when the abnormality such aspaper-empty interruption, jam or the like occurs while the imageformation apparatus body 100 performs the copy B function.

[0126] At this time, if the switch key “copy B” 604 is depressed tochange the displaying on the first operation unit 172 to that of thecopy B setting screen, the state of the copy B is displayed on thedisplay panel, whereby the operator can confirm the details of theabnormality.

[0127] The setting operation to set the data by using the user settingkey 618 can be independently performed on the selected one of the copy Aand copy B screens of the first operation unit 172. That is, each screenindependently contains the necessary data.

[0128]FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of the application modeselection screen displayed on the display panel 620 shown in FIG. 6.

[0129] In the drawing, numeral 700 denotes the application modeselection screen displayed when the application mode setting key 626shown in FIG. 6 is depressed. Concretely, the screen 700 displays thekeys “page serial copy”, “multicopy”, “area designation”, . . . , and“enlargement layout” respectively used to set the various functions ofthe body 100. That is, when the above key on the screen 700 isdepressed, the screen necessary to set each item is displayed.

[0130]FIG. 8A is the view for explaining an example of the desirable keysetting screen on the display panel 620 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8B isthe view for explaining an example of the copy A setting screen on thedisplay panel 620 for displaying registered desirable keys.

[0131] In FIG. 8A, numeral 800 denotes the desirable key setting screenused to set the items of the desirable keys 634 and 635. This screen isdisplayed by selecting the setting of the desirable key 634 or 635 atthe setting item of a user setting screen (not shown) displayed afterthe user setting key 618 was depressed.

[0132] Numeral 801 denotes a function selection area. When the desireditem is displayed within the function selection area 801 by operatingscroll keys 802 and then this item is depressed, the depressed item canbe selected. In the drawing, the item “page serial copy” is selected andthus reversely displayed. This selected item can be registered to thedesirable key by depressing an “OK” key 803. Numeral 804 denotes acancel key depressed when the registration to the desirable key isstopped.

[0133] Thus, even if the plural setting keys within the application modeselection screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 are not selected by depressing theapplication mode setting key 626, since the functions “page serial copy”and “OHP” have been registered respectively at the desirable keys 634and 635 and thus these keys are displayed to be used as ordinary keys(i.e., not meshed keys), the setting screen of “page serial copy” or“OHP” is displayed on the display panel 620 by depressing the registeredkey.

[0134] As above, since the key corresponding to the function frequentlyused by the user is independently provided in the embodiment, thesetting screen desired by the user can be displayed only by depressingone registered key without complicated operation.

[0135] Hereinafter, an operation method to change an output inquiryorder registered in a print output queue will be explained withreference to FIG. 9.

[0136]FIG. 9 is the view for explaining an example of an output orderdisplay screen for displaying a state of the print output queue. Theprint output queue is displayed on the display panel 620 shown in FIG.6.

[0137] In the drawing, numeral 900 denotes the output order displayscreen for displaying output inquiries and their states in the outputqueue. Numeral 907 denotes an output queue display area in which thestates of a currently outputted job and jobs waiting for the outputtingare displayed. The screen 900 displays that the copy B is beingoutputted, and thereafter a copy C, a printer job of reception No. 110,the copy A and a printer job of reception No. 111 are sequentiallyoutputted in due order. Therefore, when the outputting of the copy Bterminates, then the outputting of the copy C is performed.

[0138] Further, if a part representing a job name in the area 907 isdepressed, the job corresponding to such the name can be selected. Inthe drawing, the copy A being the third job in the output queue is beingselected and reversely displayed. Further, it is controlled that thecurrently outputted job (copy B in FIG. 9) can not be selected.

[0139] Numeral 903 denotes a return key used to stop the input operationon this screen and return the screen to original one. Numeral 905 and906 denote cursor keys used to scroll the screen when it is impossibleto display all the jobs in the output queue within the output queuedisplay area 907. That is, if the downward cursor 905 is depressed,fifth to eighth jobs in the queue are displayed instead of the currentlydisplayed first to fourth jobs.

[0140] Numeral 902 denotes a cancel key used to cancel or delete the jobin the output queue. That is, when the job to be cancelled is selectedby using the touch key and the cancel key 902 is subsequently depressed,the output operation in such the job can be cancelled. However, it iscontrolled that the currently outputted job (copy B in FIG. 9) can notbe selected in this screen.

[0141] Numeral 904 denotes a detailed information key. When the job ofwhich detailed information is intended to be displayed is selected andthe key 904 is subsequently depressed, processing contents of theselected and outputted job are displayed. As such the contents, e.g.,there are the number of copies, the number of originals, an output mode(double-face output, etc.) and the like.

[0142] Numeral 901 denotes a priority key. When the job intended to bepreferentially outputted is selected and the priority key 901 issubsequently depressed, the selected job is moved at the top (i.e.,first job) of the output queue. At this time, each of the jobs of whichorder are smaller (i.e., earlier) than that of the selected job is moveddown by one in order. For example, the copy A job at the third order isbeing selected in the drawing. However, if the priority key 901 isdepressed in this state, the order in the output queue is changed to bethe copy A (first order), the copy C (second order), the printer job ofreception No. 110 (third order).

[0143] Further, in order that a job newly registered in the output queueafter the priority was changed is not set at the top of the queue, thepriority of the job changed to be the first job is set to be highest ascompared with those previously set for the respective jobs such as thecopy, the printer and the like. Thus, even if the new job or function isregistered in the output queue, such the job or function is neverregistered before the job of which priority has been changed to behighest in the queue.

[0144] Hereinafter, a process at the time of data setting in the usersetting mode will be explained with reference to FIG. 10.

[0145]FIG. 10 is the flow chart showing an example of first data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention. This chart corresponds to a subroutine process called whenthe data setting has been established in the user setting mode. Itshould be noted that, in the drawing, numerals (1) to (5) denoterespective steps.

[0146] Initially, it is judged whether or not the copy A screen isdisplayed on the display panel 620 shown in FIG. 6 (1). If judged thatthe copy A screen is displayed, the flow advances to the step (3). Onthe other hand, if judged that the screen is not displayed, i.e., thatthe copy B screen is displayed, then it is judged whether or not acommon setting flag is set to be ON, i.e., whether or not the user datain the copy A job and copy B job are common (2). If judged that the flagis set to be ON, the flow advances to the step (3) to write the settingdata of the copy B job into the setting data area of the copy A job.

[0147] On the other hand, if judged that the flag is not set to be ON,the set user data is written into the user setting data area of the copyB (5), and the process terminates.

[0148] On the other hand, in the step (3), the set user data is writteninto the user setting data area of the copy A, and it is again judgedwhether or not the common setting flag is set to be ON (4). If judgedthat the flag is not set to be ON, the process terminates.

[0149] In the meantime, if judged that the flag is set to be ON, the setuser data in the copy A job is written into the user setting data areaof the copy B (5) to write the setting data in the copy A job into thesetting area of the copy B. Then, the process terminates.

[0150] That is, by providing such a switch means as above, the usersetting data essentially capable of being set for each screen can becommon by both the copy A screen and the copy B screen. Thus, anidentical environment can be easily provided in both the copy A job andthe copy B job. Moreover, the screen setting according to peculiar usagein each of the copy A job and copy B job can be realized.

[0151] Hereinafter, an example of a control flow chart of the copyoperation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0152]FIG. 11 is the flow chart showing an example of second dataprocess procedure in the image formation apparatus according to thepresent invention. This chart corresponds to data process procedure at atime when the image reading in the copy A or B operation is controlled.In FIG. 11, it should be noted that the process shown is called by amain sequence at every constant time or according to necessity, and thatnumerals (101) to (111) denote respective steps.

[0153] Initially, it is judged whether or not the start key 614 shown inFIG. 6 is depressed (101). At this time, it is necessary that the copy Aor the copy B has been selected by the switch key 601 or 602. If judgedthat the key 614 is not depressed, the flow returns to the step (101) towait for key depression.

[0154] On the other hand, if judged in the step (101) that the key 614is depressed by the user, then it is judged whether or not the copystart is possible (102). In this case, when the reading operation of thecopy B or copy A is being performed, or when the reading operation inthe facsimile function is being performed, it is judged that the copystart is impossible. Moreover, when the set copy operation mode isinoperable, e.g., when a set paper feed cassette contains no paper, whenthe copy operation is designated with a paper size incapable of beingmanaged by the paper discharge process unit 190, or the like, it is alsojudged that the copy start is impossible.

[0155] If judged in the step (102) that the copy start is impossible,the flow returns to the step (101). At this time, the state that thecopy start is impossible may be displayed on the display panel 620 ofthe first operation unit 172.

[0156] On the other hand, if judged in the step (102) that the copystart is possible, then it is judged whether or not abnormality such asjam or the like occurs in the printer unit 2 due to the print outputoperation of the other function (103). If judged that the abnormalityoccurs, occurrence of abnormality such as jam or the like in the printerunit 2 is displayed on the panel 620 of the first operation unit 172(110), and then the process terminates.

[0157] The checking of abnormality in the printer unit 2 (step (103))may be performed and displayed at the same time when the depression ofthe start key 614 is judged in the step (101).

[0158] On the other hand, if judged in the step (103) that theabnormality does not occur in the printer unit 2, the copy A job or copyB job is registered in the output queue which is provided to control ormanage the order of print output (104). In this case, the job isregistered in the queue according to information concerning the prioritypreviously determined for the function of each job. For example, theoutput queue is searched from its end to find the function of thealready registered job of which priority is equal to or higher than thatof the job currently registered, and such the currently registered jobis registered after the found job in the output queue.

[0159] By doing so, the respective jobs are registered from the top ofthe queue in the order to be processed. Thus, if the priority of thefunction of the currently registered job is higher than those of thealready registered jobs in the queue, the currently registered job isprocessed before the already registered jobs are processed.

[0160] Subsequently, it is displayed within the operation display area632 on the display panel 620 of the first operation unit 172 that thereader unit 1 is in the original image reading operation (105). Then,the original is fed onto the platen glass 101 by the DF 180, theoriginal mounted on the glass 101 is scanned to read the image thereon,the read image is subjected to the zooming process and the like by theimage process unit 170 (FIG. 3) according to the mode set by the firstoperation unit 172, and then the processed image is written into thepage memory 401 in the image memory unit 3 (106).

[0161] The image written into the unit 3 is stored in the hard disk 404through the LZ compression unit 403. After then, the original on theplaten glass 101 is discharged. In this case, the images stored in thehard disk 404 are added with numbers in the image reading order forconvenience in management. In this management, the information formanaging the number of originals is added with “1”.

[0162] Subsequently, it is judged whether or not feeding abnormalityoccurs in the DF 180 (107). If judged that the abnormality occurs, it isdisplayed on the display panel 620 of the first operation unit 172 ofthe copy A or B that the original feeding state of the DF 180 isabnormal (111). At this time, in a case where the image reading isperformed as the original is fed by the DF 180, it can not be assuredthat the original finally read was normally fed and the image data ofsuch the original has been read as a whole. Therefore, the abovemanagement information is returned to its initial state, the image datain the hard disk 404 is deleted, and then the process terminates.

[0163] On the other hand, if judged in the step (107) that theabnormality does not occur, then it is judged whether or not theoriginal finally read is the final image (108). If judged that such theoriginal is not the final image, the flow returns to the step (106) tofeed the next original. This operation is repeated until all theoriginals are processed.

[0164] In the meantime, if judged that such the original is the finalimage (108), the contents displayed within the operation display area632 on the display unit 620 and indicating that the image reading isbeing performed are deleted (109), and then the process terminates.

[0165]FIG. 12 is the flow chart showing an example of third data processprocedure in the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention. This chart corresponds to data process procedure at a timewhen the image formation in the copy A or B operation is controlled. InFIG. 12, it should be noted that the process shown is called by the mainsequence at every constant time or according to necessity, and thatnumerals (201) to (215) denote respective steps.

[0166] Initially, it is judged whether or not the print output inquiryof the copy A or B has been registered in the print output queue (201).If judged that the inquiry is not registered yet, the process waits forthe operation to register the inquiry.

[0167] On the other hand, if judged in the step (201) that the inquiryhas been registered, the display panel 620 of the first operation unit172 of the copy A or B displays a print output wait (202). It iscontrolled that such a message is displayed on the operation displayarea 632 within the setting screen of the panel 620, together with theabove-described state of the reader unit 1, e.g., a message representingthat the unit 1 is reading the original image.

[0168] Subsequently, an output order checking subroutine based on theflow chart of FIG. 13 (later described) is called, and it is judgedwhether or not the order of next print output in the print output queueis the copy A or B (203). If judged that the order is not the copy A orB, the flow returns to the step (203). On the other hand, if judged thatthe order is the copy A or B, the display panel 620 of the firstoperation panel 172 of the copy A or B displays that the copy A or B isin print outputting (204).

[0169] Then, it is judged whether or not the abnormality such as jam,paper empty or the like occurs in the printer unit 2 (205). At thistime, the abnormality in the unit 2 occurred before the print operationof the copy A or B starts is also checked. Such the abnormality occurredbefore the print operation of the copy A or B starts is the abnormalitydue to the print operation of the other job.

[0170] If judged in the step (205) that the abnormality does not occur,the flow advances to the step (206). On the other hand, if judged thatthe abnormality occurs, then it is judged whether or not the readingoperation of the copy A or B terminates (211). If judged that thereading operation does not terminate yet, the process waits for thetermination.

[0171] On the other hand, if judged in the step (211) that the readingoperation terminates, the current job is registered in a recovery queueto restart the printer output (212). It should be noted that, in therecovery queue, the job is processed in the order registered. Afterthen, the display panel 620 displays the abnormality in the printer unit2 (213), and the process terminates.

[0172] On the other hand, if judged in the step (205) that theabnormality does not occur in the printer unit 2, the image is read fromthe hard disk 404 in the image memory unit 3 in the image formationorder, the read image is subjected to an edit process according to theimage formation mode set at the first operation unit 172, and theprocessed image is then expanded in the page memory 401. At this time,if the setting mode is the layout mode or the like, the plural originalimages are read, and the read images are subjected to layout on thememory 401 and then expanded.

[0173] After then, the image is outputted to the printer unit 2, and theabove-described image formation is performed on the inputted image(206). That is, the transfer paper is fed from the cassette, the imageis formed on the fed paper in synchronism with the image sent from theimage memory unit 3, and the obtained paper is discharged outside theapparatus. In the step (206), if the original reading necessary for nextimage formation is not performed yet and there is no image data of thenext-processed original in the hard disk 404, the process waits for thedata storage in the disk 404.

[0174] Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the image obtained inthe image formation is the image of the final original and whether ornot the abnormality occurs in the DF 180 in the reading operation of thecopy A or B (207). If judged that the obtained image is not the image ofthe final original and that the abnormality does not occur in the DF180, the flow returns to the step (205) to judge whether or not theabnormality occurs in the printer unit.

[0175] On the other hand, if judged in the step (207) that the obtainedimage is the image of the final original or that the abnormality occursin the DF 180, it is further judged whether or not the abnormalityoccurs in the DF 180 in the reading operation of the copy A or B (208).If judged that the abnormality occurs, the image formation operation isinterrupted (214), and the process terminates. At this time, since therecording sheets being halfway through the copy output in the first copyof the copy A or B remain on the process tray 193 of the paper dischargeunit 190, such information as representing that the print operation isbeing performed is set based on internal management information to lockthe operation, such that the print operation of the other function orjob does not start. Then, the process terminates.

[0176] On the other hand, if judged in the step (208) that theabnormality does not occur, then it is judged whether or not the imageformation corresponding to the number of copies set at the firstoperation unit 172 has completed (209). If judged that the imageformation does not terminate yet, the flow returns to the step (205). Onthe other hand, if judged that the image formation has completed, thedisplay panel 620 of the first operation unit 172 displays that theprint output of the copy A or B terminates (210).

[0177] Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the print outputinquiry of the copy A or B has been registered in the print output queue(215). If judged that the inquiry is not registered yet, the copy imageformation operation terminates. On the other hand, if judged in the step(215) that the inquiry has been registered, the flow returns to the step(202). Then, the processes from the steps (202) to (215) are repeateduntil the print output inquiry of the copy A or B empties.

[0178] Hereinafter, a flow chart of an output order checking subroutinewill be explained with reference to FIG. 13.

[0179]FIG. 13 is the flow chart showing an example of fourth dataprocess procedure in the image formation apparatus according to thepresent invention. This chart corresponds to the process in thesubroutine called and executed in the step (203) in FIG. 12. It shouldbe noted that numerals (301) to (304) denote respective steps.

[0180] Initially, it is judged whether or not the job other than thefunction to be checked is in the output operation (301). If judged thatthe job is in the output operation, it is set to a return value that theoutput order is “NG” (204), and the flow leaves from the subroutine.

[0181] On the other hand, if judged in the step (301) that the job isnot in the output operation, then it is judged whether or not thecurrent job is at the top of the output queue (302). If judged that thecurrent job is not at the top, the flow advances to the step (304), andit is set to the return value that the output order is “NG”. Then, theflow leaves from the subroutine.

[0182] On the other hand, if judged in the step (302) that the currentjob is at the top of the queue, the output inquiry of current job isreleased from the queue, and it is set to the return value that theoutput order is “OK” (303). Then, the flow leaves from the subroutine.

[0183] As described above, during the image process in one image processmode, in the case where the same image process mode is registered, it ispossible to automatically start the subsequent image process every timethe previous image process terminates. Therefore, a conventional loadfor the operator who instructs the apparatus to start each imageformation can be remarkably reduced.

[0184] Further, in the case where the abnormality in the original feedunit or the image formation unit is detected, the display unit promptlydisplays that the abnormality occurs. Therefore, the user can easily andclearly know such the state.

[0185] Furthermore, in the state that the plural copy jobs have beenregistered, in the case where the abnormality is detected during theimage process by one copy job, the setting screen for the other copy jobcan be replaced by that for the copy job in which the abnormality wasdetected. Therefore, the confusion of the copy job in which theabnormality occurs with the other copy jobs can be prevented, and thusthe user can easily and clearly know such the state.

[0186] Furthermore, in the state that the plural copy jobs have beenregistered, in the case where the abnormality is detected during theimage process by one copy job, the setting screen can be replaced by thescreen for the copy job in which the abnormality was detected, afterreading all the originals without interrupting halfway the originalreading in the subsequent copy jobs. Therefore, the process to againread the original for the next copy job can be made unnecessary, and aperiod of time from the release from abnormality to the start of nextcopy job can be shortened, so that efficiency in the copy job processcan be remarkably improved.

[0187] (Second Embodiment)

[0188] In the above-described first embodiment, the case where theplural switch keys 601, 604, 607 and 610 are provided on the firstoperation unit 172 was explained. However, it may be structured that thefunctions can be switched to others on the screen displayed on thedisplay panel 620. Further, in the first embodiment, the user settingprocess in which the setting is performed by using the program wasexplained. However, it may be structured that memory access is managedor controlled by using a data common bus controller to store such theuser setting. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the original is readafter registering it in the print output queue. However, it may bestructured that all the originals are read and then the read originalsare registered in the print output queue. Hereinafter, the secondembodiment showing such modifications as above will be explained.

[0189] It should be noted that, since a structure of an image formationapparatus according to the second embodiment is identical with that ofthe apparatus according to the first embodiment, detailed explanationthereof is omitted.

[0190]FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining a control structure ofthe image process apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention. It should be noted that, in FIG. 14, the same partsas those shown in FIG. 2 are respectively added with the same referencenumerals.

[0191] In the drawing, numeral 1500 denotes a second operation unitconnected to a CPU 171. Thus, the CPU 171 controls a display means and akey input means of the unit 1500. The operator instructs the CPU 171 tochange or switch an image formation operation mode, displaying and thelike, through key input from the unit 1500, and the CPU 171 displays astate of an image formation apparatus body 100 and operation modesetting made by the key input.

[0192] Numeral 1603 denotes a data common bus controller connected toaddress data buses 1604 to 1604 (later described in FIG. 16) to controlthem.

[0193] Since structures of an image process unit 170, an image memoryunit 3, the external interface unit 4 are respectively identical withthose shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, explanations thereof are omitted.

[0194]FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a layout of the second operationunit 1500 shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 15, it should be noted that the sameparts as those shown in FIG. 6 are added with the same referencenumerals.

[0195] As the embodiment in which the screens are changed or switched,the second embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference toFIG. 15.

[0196] In the drawing, numeral 1500 denotes the second operation unit.Numeral 1501 denotes a function switch key capable of being depressedduring any operation is being displayed. That is, when the key 1501 isdepressed, a function selection screen 1550 is immediately displayed ona display panel 620.

[0197] The function selection screen 1550 is the screen used to switchor change an operation screen for each function. Numeral 1508 denotes afunction selection area on which a list of the functions realized by theimage formation apparatus body 100 according to the embodiment isdisplayed. When a function name displayed on the area 1508 of a touchpanel is depressed to select the corresponding function, the selectedname is reversely displayed. In the drawing, “copy A” is being selected.

[0198] Numeral 1504 and 1505 denote cursor keys used to scroll thescreen when it is impossible to display all the functions of the body100 within one screen of the function selection area 1508. In theexample shown in FIG. 15, all the items can be displayed within onescreen, and the cursor keys are illustrated by dots (or mesh). Thismeans that the key depression is impossible.

[0199] Numeral 1506 denotes an OK key. When the function is selected onthe function selection area 1508 and the OK key 1506 is then depressed,the current screen is switched to the setting screen for the selectedfunction. Numeral 1507 denotes a cancel key used to cancel the switchingof the setting screen. When the cancel key 1507 is depressed, the screenreturns to the setting screen displayed before the key 1501 isdepressed.

[0200] Numeral 1503 denotes a green LED arranged on the right of thefunction switch key 1501. The LED 1503 is turned on to indicate anoperation state of a function other than the function currentlydisplayed on the display panel 620 of the second operation unit 1500.For example, in a case where the copy A setting screen is beingdisplayed, if any one of copy B, copy C, printer and facsimile functionsis in an operation state, the LED 1503 is controlled to be turned on andoff repeatedly. Further, in a case where images of the functions beingnot in the operation state have been stored in the hard disk 404 of theimage memory unit 3 and all the functions are not in the operationstate, the LED 1503 is controlled to be ON.

[0201] Numeral 1502 denotes a red LED on the left of the key 1501. TheLED 1502 is turned on to indicate that abnormality occurs in a job ofthe function other than the function currently displayed on the displaypanel 620 of the second operation unit 1500. For example, on the copy Asetting screen, when the abnormality such as paper-empty interruption,jam or the like occurs in any one of the copy B, copy C, printer andfacsimile functions, the LED 1502 is controlled to be turned on and offrepeatedly.

[0202] As above, when the setting screens of the respective functionsare changed or switched, the function selection screen 1550 is displayedon the display panel (touch sensor display or the like) 620 such thatthe selection operation is performed on the screen 1550. Therefore, evenif the number of functions to be realized by the image formationapparatus body 100 is increased, the setting screen can be easilychanged or switched without adding any hard key or the like.

[0203]FIG. 16 is the block diagram for explaining a management structureof a RAM 175 shown in FIG. 14. This diagram shows a case where thememory access is managed by the data common bus controller 1603. In FIG.16, it should be noted that the same parts as those shown in FIG. 2 areadded with the same reference numerals.

[0204] In the drawing, numeral 1601 denotes a user setting data area forthe copy A secured in the RAM 175 of FIG. 14 and mapped in a memoryspace of the CPU 171. The numeral 1602 denotes a user setting data areafor the copy B secured in the RAM 175 of FIG. 14 and mapped in thememory space of the CPU 171. It should be noted that these data areasmay be secured in the hard disk.

[0205] Numerals 1604, 1605 and 1606 respectively denote the address databuses. The bus 1604 connects the CPU 171 and the data common buscontroller 1603, the bus 1605 connects the areas 1601 and 1603, and thebus 1606 connects the areas 1602 and 1603.

[0206] Both the areas 1601 and 1602 are connected to the controller 1603respectively by the address buses 1605 and 1606 for data writing andreading. The CPU 171 accesses the memory space thereof through theaddress data bus 1604.

[0207] The data common bus controller 1603 controls connection betweenthe but 1604 and the buses 1605 and 1606.

[0208] Further, the controller 1603 judges a switch setting flag fordetermining whether or not the user data is common by the copy A and thecopy B. In a case where it is considered that the user data is common,when the controller 1603 receives an instruction from the CPU 171 toaccess the address of the user setting data area 1602 for the copy B, itcontrols the address data buses 1604 and 1605 to be connected to eachother. Thus, if the CPU 171 accesses either the user setting data area1601 or 1602, the user setting data area 1601 is accessed.

[0209] As above, in the case where the operation setting screens areprovided respectively for the copy A and the copy B, the respectivescreens for the copy A and the copy B are appropriately switched suchthat copy operation start, copy operation stop and state confirmationfor the copy A and the copy B are performed on the respective screens.Therefore, the plural copy functions can be executed by the sameoperation as that in the first embodiment.

[0210] By applying such the structure as above, if predeterminedabnormality by which the image formation should be interrupted is foundin the printer unit, the screen is immediately and automaticallyswitched to the copy mode setting screen for the copy job in which theabnormality occurs. Therefore, the abnormality can be quickly notifiedto the user.

[0211] Further, as the output order of the plural copy jobs registeredafter reading all the original images is changed, the outputting of thecopy job can be performed in the higher-priority order.

[0212]FIGS. 17A and 17B are flow charts showing an example of fifth dataprocess procedure in the image formation apparatus according to thepresent invention. This chart corresponds to data process procedure at atime when the image reading and the image formation operation in thecopy A, B or C operation is controlled. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, it shouldbe noted that the process shown is called by the main sequence at everyconstant time or according to necessity, and that numerals (401) to(420) denote respective steps.

[0213] Initially, it is judged whether or not the start key 614 isdepressed (401). At this time, it is necessary that the copy A, B or Chas been selected on the function selection screen 1550 displayed bydepressing the function switch key 1501 of the second operation unit1500. If judged that the key 614 is not depressed yet, the flow returnsto the step (401) to wait for key depression.

[0214] On the other hand, if judged in the step (401) that the key 614is depressed by the operator, then it is judged whether or not the copystart is possible (402). In this case, in the case where the readingoperation of the copy B or C or the copy A is being performed, or thecase where the reading operation by the facsimile function is beingperformed, it is judged that the copy start is impossible. Moreover, inthe case where the set copy operation mode is inoperable, e.g., the casewhere a set paper feed cassette contains no paper, or the case where thecopy operation is designated with a paper size incapable of beingmanaged by the paper discharge process unit, it is also judged that thecopy start is impossible.

[0215] If judged in the step (402) that the copy start is impossible,the flow returns to the step (401). At this time, the state that thecopy start is impossible may be displayed on the display panel 620 ofthe second operation unit 1500.

[0216] On the other hand, if judged in the step (402) that the copystart is possible, then it is judged whether or not abnormality such asjam or the like occurs in the printer unit 2 due to the print outputoperation in the job of the other function (403). If judged that theabnormality occurs, occurrence of abnormality such as the jam or thelike in the printer unit 2 is displayed on the panel 620 of the unit1500 for the copy A, B or C job, and then the process terminates (417).

[0217] On the other hand, if judged in the step (403) that anyabnormality does not occur in the printer unit 2, the state that thereader unit 1 is in the original reading operation is displayed on thedisplay panel 620 of the unit 1500 (404). Then, the original is fed ontothe platen glass 101 by the DF 180, and the original mounted on theglass 101 is scanned to read the original image (405). After then, theimage is subjected to zooming or the like by the above image processunit 170 and the processed image is then written into the page memory401 of the image memory unit 3 according to the mode set by the unit1500. At this time, when the abnormality occurs in the original feedingby the DF 180, the reading process is not performed and the process inthe step (405) terminates.

[0218] At this time, the image from the unit 3 is stored in the harddisk 404 through the LZ compression unit 403. After then, the originalon the platen glass 101 is discharged. In this case, the images storedin the hard disk 404 are added with numbers in the image reading orderfor convenience in management. In this management, the information formanaging the number of originals is added with “1”.

[0219] Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the feeding abnormalityoccurs in the DF 180 (406). If judged that the abnormality occurs, it isdisplayed on the display panel 620 of the unit 1500 of the copy A, B orC that the original feeding state of the DF 180 is abnormal (418), andthe process terminates. At this time, in a case where the image readingis performed as the original is fed by the DF 180, it can not be assuredthat the original finally read was normally fed and the image data ofsuch the original has been read as a whole. Therefore, the abovemanagement information is returned to “0”, the image data in the harddisk 404 is deleted, and then the process terminates.

[0220] On the other hand, if judged in the step (406) that anyabnormality does not occur, then it is judged whether or not theoriginal of which reading has terminated immediately before such thejudgment is the final image (407). If judged that such the original isnot the final image, the flow returns to the step (405) to feed the nextoriginal. This operation is repeated until all the originals areprocessed.

[0221] In the meantime, if judged in the step (407) that such theoriginal is the final image, the copy A, B or C job is registered in theprint output queue to control the print output order (408). In thiscase, the job is registered in the queue according to informationconcerning the priority previously determined for each function. Forexample, the output queue is searched from its end to find the functionof the already registered job of which priority is equal to or higherthan that of the job currently registered, and such the currentlyregistered job is set after the found job in the output queue.

[0222] By doing so, the respective jobs are registered from the top ofthe queue in the order to be processed. Thus, if the priority of thefunction of the currently registered job is higher than those of thealready registered jobs in the queue, the currently registered job isprocessed before the already registered jobs are processed.

[0223] Subsequently, the display panel 620 of the second operation unit1500 of the copy A, B or C displays print output wait (409). It iscontrolled that such a message is displayed on the operation displayarea 632 within the setting screen of the panel 620.

[0224] Subsequently, the output order checking subroutine based on theflow chart of FIG. 13 is called, and it is judged whether or not theorder of next print output in the print output queue is the copy A, B orC (410). If judged that the order is not the copy A, B or C, the flowreturns to the step (410). On the other hand, if judged that the orderis the copy A, B or C, the display panel 620 of the second operationunit 1500 of the copy A, B or C displays that the copy A, B or C job isin print outputting (411).

[0225] Then, it is judged whether or not the abnormality such as jam,paper empty or the like occurs in the printer unit 2 (412). At thistime, the abnormality in the unit 2 occurred before the print operationof the copy A, B or C starts is also checked. Such the abnormality to bechecked is the abnormality due to the print operation of the other jobby which the print operation is interrupted.

[0226] If judged in the step (412) that any abnormality does not occur,the current job is registered in a recovery queue to restart the printeroutput (419). It should be noted that, in the recovery queue, the job isprocessed in the order registered. After then, the display panel 620displays the abnormality in the printer unit 2 (420), and the processterminates.

[0227] On the other hand, if judged in the step (412) that anyabnormality does not occur in the printer unit 2, the image is read fromthe hard disk 404 of the image memory unit 3 in the image formationorder, the read image is subjected to an edit process according to theimage formation mode set at the second operation unit 1500, and theprocessed image is then expanded in the page memory 401. At this time,if the setting mode is the layout mode or the like, the plural originalimages are read, and the read images are subjected to layout on thememory 401 and then expanded.

[0228] After then, the image is outputted to the printer unit 2. In theunit 2, according to the above image formation operation, the transferpaper is fed from the cassette, the image is formed on the fed paper insynchronism with the image sent from the image memory unit 3, and theobtained paper is discharged outside the apparatus (413).

[0229] Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the image obtained inthe image formation is the image of the final original (414). If judgedthat the obtained image is not the image of the final original, the flowreturns to the step (412). On the other hand, if judged that theobtained image is the image of the final original, then it is judgedwhether or not the image formation corresponding to the number of copiesset by the second operation unit 1500 has wholly completed (415). Ifjudged that the image formation does not terminate yet, the flow returnto the step (412).

[0230] On the other hand, if judged in the step (415) that the imageformation has completed, the display panel 620 of the second operationunit 1500 displays that the print output of the copy A, B or Cterminates (416), and then the copy image formation operationterminates.

[0231] As above, according to the second embodiment, since the imageformation operation starts after all the original images were read, theimage formation operation is not interrupted due to the abnormality suchas jam or the like in the DF 180. Therefore, even if the abnormalitysuch as the jam or the like occurs in the DF 180 when the original imageis read, it is unnecessary for the print output of the other function towait for the operation for eliminating such the abnormality.

[0232] For this reason, in the case where the abnormality is detected inthe image process of any one of the registered copy jobs, if such thejob occurred in the image formation unit and thus it is necessary tointerrupt the image process, the screen can be promptly switched orchanged to the setting screen for the copy job in which the abnormalitywas found. Therefore, it is possible to quickly issue to the user aninstruction for eliminating damage in the apparatus due to theabnormality, and it is also possible to shorten a standby time until thenext image process can start.

[0233] (Third Embodiment)

[0234] Subsequently, a display control operation performed on anoperation screen when abnormality occurs in copy A, B or C job will beexplained.

[0235] It should be noted that, in the third embodiment, the operationunit (FIG. 6) in the first embodiment is used.

[0236] Hereinafter, an example of a control flow chart in case ofperforming image reading and image formation in composite copy A and Boperations will be explained with reference to FIGS. 18 to 22.

[0237]FIG. 18 is the flow chart showing the control procedure and thescreen display timing while the copy A is in the image reading and thecopy B is in the copy mode setting (state I). This procedure is executedwhen the copy B is being selected by the switch key 604.

[0238] Initially, a copy B setting screen as shown in FIG. 23 isdisplayed (501). This setting screen is a standard screen which has beenpreviously registered by the user or a screen which displays the copymode set prior to such registration. When the key input is performed atthe operation unit, the screen is updated to reflect the operation.

[0239] Then, the flow advances to a step (502) to judge whether or notthe image reading for the copy A terminates. If judged that the imagereading does not terminate, then it is judged whether or not DF jamoccurs during the image reading for the copy A (503). If judged in thestep (503) that the DF jam occurs in the copy A job, it is impossible tostart the image reading for the copy B unless the jam is not released.Therefore, the DF jam is immediately displayed on a screen as shown inFIG. 24 instead of the copy B setting screen (504), and the processwaits for release from jam (505). If a jam process terminates and thusthe jam is released in the step (505), the copy B setting screendisplayed before the jam occurs is displayed (506). After the screen wasdisplayed, the flow returns to the step (502). Then, the processes inthe steps (502) to (506) are repeated until the image reading for thecopy A terminates. Also, if judged in the step (503) that any DF jamdoes not occur, the flow returns to the step (502).

[0240] If the switch key 601 is depressed while the jam screen is beingdisplayed, the screen identical with that shown in FIG. 23 is displayed.After the jam was released, the copy A screen is displayed.

[0241] If judged in the step (502) that the image reading for the copy Aterminates, the flow advances to a step (507) to shift the copy B job tobe in a readable state, and the process terminates. After the state wasshifted, the copy A job is in the printing and the copy B job is in thecopy mode setting (state II).

[0242]FIG. 19 is the flow chart showing control procedure and screendisplay timing in the copy B job while the copy A is in the printing andthe copy B is in the copy mode setting (state II). This procedure startson the termination of the image reading for the copy A in the state I.

[0243] The screen is changed to a copy B setting screen as shown in FIG.25 according as, in the copy A job, the image reading state is shiftedto the print state.

[0244] Initially, it is judged whether or not the start key is depressed(601). At the same time, other key inputs are also accepted, and thecopy mode setting for the copy B can be performed subsequent to thestate I. If judged in the step (601) that the key is not depressed, theflow advances to a step (602) to judge whether or not the copy Aprinting terminates. If judged that the printing does not terminate,then it is judged whether or not printer jam occurs in the copy Aprinting (603). If judged in the step (603) that the printer jam occurs,a jam process execution selection screen as shown in FIG. 26 isdisplayed (604). In this printer jam, since the processes up to theimage reading process can be performed in the copy B job even if the jamis not released, it is possible for the user to select whether the jamprocess is to be performed before the copy B image reading starts.Therefore, such a selected result is checked (605). If checked in thestep (605) that the jam process being prior to the copy B image readingis selected, a jam screen as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed (606), andthe process waits for release from jam (607). If the jam processterminates and thus the jam is released in the step (607), the settingscreen displayed before the jam occurs is displayed (608). After thesetting screen was displayed, the flow returns to the step (601). Then,the processes in the steps (601) to (608) are repeated until the startkey is depressed or the copy A printing terminates.

[0245] Also, if judged in the step (603) that any printer jam does notoccur, the flow returns to the step (601).

[0246] If it is selected in the step (605) that the jam process is to beperformed after the copy B image reading started, the flow advances to astep (610) to display a copy B setting screen as shown in FIG. 28. Then,the process waits for the instruction issued by depressing the start keyto start the copy B image reading (611). If the start key is depressedin the step (611), the copy B reading is started (612).

[0247] Also, if judged in the step (602) that the copy A printingterminates, the flow advances to the step (611) to wait for the copy Breading start instruction. In this case, if the reading for a job nextto the copy A job is subsequently started, it may be set that the copy Breading start is impossible and the process waits for the termination ofthe copy A image reading (state I).

[0248] If the start key is depressed in the step (601), the copy Breading starts, and then the process terminates (609). After the statewas shifted, the copy A job is in the printing (on standby) and the copyB job is in the image reading (state III).

[0249]FIG. 20 is the flow chart showing control procedure and screendisplay timing in the copy B job while the copy A is in the printing andthe copy B is in the image reading (state III). This procedure starts onthe copy B image reading start in the state II.

[0250] Initially, a copy B reading screen as shown in FIG. 29representing that the copy B is in the reading is displayed (701), andthe flow advances to a step (702) to judge whether or not the copy Bimage reading terminates. If judged that the reading does not terminate,then it is judged whether the DF jam occurs in the copy B image reading(703). If judged in the step (703) that the DF jam occurs, such the DFjam is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 24 (704), and theprocess waits for release from jam (705). If the jam process terminatesand thus the jam is released in the step (705), an original reset screen(not shown) is displayed to restart the copy B image reading (706), andthe process waits for start key depression (707). If the start key isdepressed in the step (707), the copy B image reading is restarted(i.e., recovery operation), and the screen displays that the image isbeing read in the copy B job (708). After such displaying, the flowreturns to the step (702), and then the processes from the steps (702)to (708) are repeated until the copy B image reading terminates. Also,if judged in the step (703) that any DF jam does not occur, the flowreturns to the step (702).

[0251] If judged in the step (702) that the copy B image readingterminates, the flow advances to a step (709) to shift the copy B job tobe on print standby, and the process terminates. After the state wasshifted, the copy A job is in the printing (on standby) and the copy Bjob is on print standby (state IV).

[0252] During the copy B reading in the state III, it is not judgedwhether or not the printer jam occurs in the copy A job, to preventoperator's confusion. Thus, the operator does not confuse the printerjam in the copy A printing and the DF jam in the copy B image reading.As the other method to prevent such confusion, it may apply a method notto perform the jam display but display on the operation display area 632shown in FIG. 6 that the printer jam occurs in the copy A job as shownin FIG. 30.

[0253]FIG. 21 is the flow chart showing control procedure and screendisplay timing in the copy B job while the copy A is in the printing (onstandby) and the copy B is on print standby (state IV). This procedurestarts on termination of the copy B image reading in the state III.

[0254] Initially, a copy B print standby screen is displayed as shown inFIG. 31 (801), and the flow advances to a step (802) to judge whether ornot the copy A printing terminates. If judged that the printing does notterminate, then it is judged whether or not the printer jam occursduring the copy A printing (803). If judged in the step (803) that thejam occurs, it is impossible to start the copy B print operation unlessthe jam is released. Therefore, the printer jam is displayed on thescreen as shown in FIG. 27 (804), and the process waits for release fromjam (805). If the jam process terminates and thus the jam is released inthe step (805), the copy B print standby screen is again displayed(806). After the pint standby screen was displayed, the flow returns tothe step (802), and then the processes from the steps (802) to (806) arerepeated until the copy A printing terminates. Also, if judged in thestep (803) that any printer jam does not occur, the flow returns to thestep (802).

[0255] If judged in the step (802) that the copy A printing terminates,the flow advances to a step (807) to start the copy B printing, and thenthe process terminates. After the state was shifted, the copy A job ison standby (capable of starting next-job reading) and the copy B job isin the printing (state V).

[0256]FIG. 22 is the flow chart showing control procedure and screendisplay timing in the copy B job while the copy A is on standby (capableof starting next-job reading) and the copy B is in the printing (stateV). This procedure starts according to the copy B printing start in thestate IV.

[0257] Initially, a copy B printing screen indicating that the copy Bjob is in the printing is displayed as shown in FIG. 32 (901). If nextimage reading starts in the copy A job, a copy B printing screen isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 33. Then, the flow advances to a step (902)to judge whether or not the copy B printing terminates. If judged thatthe printing does not terminate, then it is judged whether or not theprinter jam occurs during the copy B printing (903). If judged in thestep (903) that the jam occurs, the printer jam is immediately displayedas shown in FIG. 27 (904), and the process waits for release from jam(905). If the jam process terminates and thus the jam is released in thestep (905), the print operation is restarted and the copy B printingscreen is displayed (906). After the pint standby screen was displayed,the flow returns to the step (902), and then the processes from thesteps (902) to (906) are repeated until the copy B printing terminates.Also, if judged in the step (903) that any printer jam does not occur,the flow returns to the step (902).

[0258] If judged in the step (902) that the copy B printing terminates,the flow advances to a step (907) to judge whether or not the copy Aimage reading starts and the DF jam occurs. If judged in the step (907)that the jam occurs, the DF jam is displayed on the screen as shown inFIG. 24 (908), and the process waits for release from jam (909). If thejam process terminates and thus the jam is released in the step (909),the process terminates. Also, if judged in the step (907) that any DFjam does not occur, the process terminates. When the copy B printprocess terminates, the copy B screen returns to that as shown in FIG.23.

[0259] Thus, a series of operations from the copy B image reading to thecopy B printing terminates, and then the state is again shifted to thestate I or the standby state (capable of setting next job and startingread operation) for both the copies A and B.

[0260] By controlling the operation as above, the copy operation in thecopy B job can be effectively performed during execution of the copy Ajob. Moreover, the jam can be effectively displayed even if the copy Ajob and the copy B job are in any operation state.

[0261] Hereinafter, a structure of a data process program capable ofbeing read by the image formation apparatus according to the presentinvention will be explained with reference to a memory map of a storagemedium (floppy disk, CD-ROM or the like) shown in FIG. 34.

[0262] Even in the embodiment, output inquiry order registered in aprint output queue may be changed through a display operation on thescreen shown in FIG. 9.

[0263]FIG. 34 is the view for explaining the memory map of the storagemedium which stores various data process programs readable by the imageformation apparatus according to the present invention.

[0264] Although not specifically illustrated, there is a case whereinformation such as version information, programmer's names or the likeused to manage program groups in the storage medium is also storedtherein, and also information such as an icon or the like depending onan OS (operating system) or the like provided on a program reading sideused to discriminate and display the program is stored therein.

[0265] Further, data according to various programs is stored in adirectory of the above storage medium. Furthermore, in a case where aprogram used to install various programs in a computer and programs tobe installed in the computer have been compressed, there may be a casewhere a program or the like used to depress or expand the compressedprograms is stored in the storage medium.

[0266] The processes shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 and FIGS. 17 to 22 in theabove embodiments may be performed by a host computer on the basis ofexternally installed programs. In this case, the present invention canbe applied to even a case where information groups including theprograms are supplied to an output device from a storage medium such asa CD-ROM, a flash memory, a FD (floppy disk) or the like or from anexternal storage medium through a network.

[0267] As described above, it can be obviously understood that theobjects of the present invention can be achieved also in a case where astorage medium storing program codes of a software to realize thefunctions of the above embodiments is supplied to a system or anapparatus, and thus a computer (or CPU, MPU) in this system or apparatusreads and executes the program codes stored in the medium.

[0268] In this case, the software program codes themselves read from thestorage medium realize the new functions of the present invention.Therefore, the storage medium storing these program codes constitutesthe present invention.

[0269] As the storage medium to store the program codes, e.g., a floppydisk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, aCD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM orthe like can be used.

[0270] Further, it can be obviously understood that the presentinvention includes not only the case where the functions of theabove-described embodiments are realized by executing the program codesread from the computer, but also a case where an OS or the like runningon the computer performs a part or all of the actual processes on thebasis of instructions of these program codes and thus the functions ofthe above-described embodiments are realized by such the processes.

[0271] Furthermore, it can be obviously understood that the presentinvention also includes a case where, after the program codes read fromthe storage medium were written into a function expansion board insertedin the computer or a memory in a function expansion unit connected tothe computer, a CPU or the like in the function expansion board or unitperforms a part or all of the actual processes on the basis ofinstructions of these program codes, and the functions of theabove-described embodiments are realized based on such the processes.

[0272] The present invention is not limited the above-describedembodiments, but various modification are possible in the presentinvention within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image formation apparatus comprising: anoriginal feeder for feeding an original to a reading position; an imagereader for reading an image of the original fed by said original feeder;a memory for storing the image read by said image reader; a printer forprinting the image stored in said memory, on a recording paper; displaymeans for displaying a screen concerning a copy job; switch instructionmeans for switching the screen concerning a first copy job and thescreen concerning a second copy job, and causing said display means todisplay the switched screen; reservation copy means for causing saidswitch instruction means to switch the screen to that concerning thesecond copy job during execution of the first copy job, to enablesetting of the second copy job; and display control means for causing,in a case where abnormality in the first copy job is detected during thesetting of the second copy job by said reservation copy means, saiddisplay means to display a center screen used to select the displayingof the setting screen for setting the second copy job or the displayingconcerning the abnormality in the first copy job, without immediatelyreleasing the abnormality in the first copy job.
 2. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the abnormality in the first copy job isrecording paper feeding jam in said printer.
 3. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein, when the displaying of the setting screen forsetting the second copy job is selected, said display control meanscauses said display means to perform the displaying concerning theabnormality in the first copy job after the original reading in thesecond copy job terminates.
 4. An image formation apparatus comprising:an original feeder for feeding an original to a reading position; animage reader for reading an image of the original fed by said originalfeeder; a memory for storing the image read by said image reader; aprinter for printing the image stored in said memory, on a recordingpaper; display means for displaying a screen concerning a copy job;switch instruction means for switching the screen concerning a firstcopy job and the screen concerning a second copy job, and causing saiddisplay means to display the switched screen; reservation copy means forcausing said switch instruction means to switch the screen to thatconcerning the second copy job during execution of the first copy job,to enable setting of the second copy job; and display control means forswitching, in a case where abnormality in the first copy job is detectedduring the setting of the second copy job by said reservation copymeans, the displaying of the setting screen for setting the second copyjob to the displaying concerning the abnormality in the first copy jobwithout operating said switch instruction means, and for returning thedisplaying to that of the setting screen for setting the second copy jobafter the abnormality is released.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the abnormality in the first copy job is recording paper feedingjam in said printer.
 6. An image formation apparatus comprising: anoriginal feeder for feeding an original to a reading position; an imagereader for reading an image of the original fed by said original feeder;a memory for storing the image read by said image reader; a printer forprinting the image stored in said memory, on a recording paper; displaymeans for displaying a screen concerning a copy job; switch instructionmeans for switching the screen concerning a first copy job and thescreen concerning a second copy job, and causing said display means todisplay the switched screen; reservation copy means for causing saidswitch instruction means to switch the screen to that concerning thesecond copy job during execution of the first copy job, to enablesetting of the second copy job and reading of the original; and displaycontrol means for preventing, even in a case where abnormality in thefirst copy job occurs during the reading of the original in the secondcopy job by said reservation copy means, the switching from thedisplaying of the screen concerning the second copy job to thedisplaying concerning the abnormality in the first copy job withoutoperating said switch instruction means until the original reading inthe second copy job terminates, and for switching the displaying to thatconcerning the abnormality in the first copy job after the originalreading in the second copy job terminates.
 7. An apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the abnormality in the first copy job is recordingpaper feeding jam in said printer.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6,wherein, when the abnormality is released after the displaying isswitched to that concerning the abnormality in the first copy job, saiddisplay control means returns the displaying to that of the screenconcerning the second copy job.
 9. A control method for an imageformation apparatus comprising: an original feeder for feeding anoriginal to a reading position, an image reader for reading an image ofthe original fed by the original feeder, a memory for storing the imageread by the image reader, a printer for printing the image stored in thememory, on a recording paper, display means for displaying a screenconcerning a copy job, and switch instruction means for switching thescreen concerning a first copy job and the screen concerning a secondcopy job, and causing the display means to display the switched screen,said control method comprising: a first job execution step of causingthe apparatus to execute the first copy job; a reservation step ofcausing the display means to display the screen concerning the secondcopy job, to enable setting of the second copy job; a detection step ofdetecting occurrence of abnormality in the first copy job during thesetting of the second copy job; and a selection display step of causing,when the abnormality is detected in said detection step, the displaymeans to display a selection screen used to select the displaying of thesetting screen for setting the second copy job or the displayingconcerning the abnormality in the first copy job without immediatelyreleasing the abnormality in the first copy job.
 10. A method accordingto claim 9, wherein said selection display step causes the display meansto display the selection screen when the abnormality in the printer isdetected in said detection step.
 11. A method according to claim 9,further comprising an abnormality display step of causing, when thedisplaying of the setting screen of the second copy job is selected, thedisplay means to display the abnormality in the first copy job after theimage reading in the second copy job terminates.
 12. A control methodfor an image formation apparatus comprising: an original feeder forfeeding an original to a reading position, an image reader for readingan image of the original fed by the original feeder, a memory forstoring the image read by the image reader, a printer for printing theimage stored in the memory, on a recording paper, display means fordisplaying a screen concerning a copy job, and switch instruction meansfor switching the screen concerning a first copy job and the screenconcerning a second copy job, and causing the display means to displaythe switched screen, said control method comprising: a first jobexecution step of causing the apparatus to execute the first copy job; areservation step of causing the display means to display the screenconcerning the second copy job, to enable setting of the second copyjob; a detection step of detecting occurrence of abnormality in thefirst copy job during the setting of the second copy job; and a displayswitch step of switching, when the abnormality is detected in saiddetection step, the displaying of the screen concerning the second copyjob to the displaying concerning the abnormality in the first copy jobwithout operating the switch instruction means, and for returning thedisplaying to that of the screen concerning the second copy job afterthe abnormality is released.
 13. A method according to claim 12,wherein, in said detection step, original feeding jam in the originalfeeder is detected.
 14. A control method for an image formationapparatus comprising: an original feeder for feeding an original to areading position, an image reader for reading an image of the originalfed by the original feeder, a memory for storing the image read by theimage reader, a printer for printing the image stored in the memory, ona recording paper, display means for displaying a screen concerning acopy job, and switch instruction means for switching the screenconcerning a first copy job and the screen concerning a second copy job,and causing the display means to display the switched screen, saidcontrol method comprising: a first job execution step of causing theapparatus to execute the first copy job; a reservation step of causingthe display means to display the screen concerning the second copy job,to enable setting of the second copy job; a detection step of detectingoccurrence of abnormality in the first copy job during the setting ofthe second copy job; and a display switch step of preventing, when theabnormality is detected in said detection step, the switching from thedisplaying of the screen concerning the second copy job to thedisplaying concerning the abnormality in the first copy job withoutoperating the switch instruction means until the original reading in thesecond copy job terminates, and for switching the displaying to thatconcerning the abnormality in the first copy job after the originalreading in the second copy job terminates.
 15. A method according toclaim 14, wherein, in said detection step, recording paper feeding jamin the printer is detected.
 16. A method according to claim 14, furthercomprising a second display switch step of returning the displaying tothat of the screen concerning the second copy job when the abnormalityis released after the displaying is switched to that concerning theabnormality in the first copy job in said display switch step.